Ryder (Slater Brothers 4)

I chuckled.

“We’ll be fine,” I assured him. “I mean, what’s the worst that could happen?”

“Do you understand that if the kid you attacked presses charges, you will be arrested for assault, ma’am?”

The worst happened.

When Ryder and I showed up in A&E I was calm. So. Bloody. Calm. When my sister rang me and told me what happened, I was ready to end Dominic Slater, but on the car journey to the hospital Ryder relaxed me, and I reached a point where I was willing to see him and behave like a normal human being… then I walked up to the triage nurse’s office and saw Bronagh clutching her hand to her chest, and Dominic in her personal space. There is no other way to describe what happened—I just lost it.

I jumped on him, and while I wasn’t a strong person, and didn’t exactly know how to fight, I pulled his hair, ripped his t-shirt, slapped at his head, and managed to get in one solid punch to his face before Ryder wrestled me away.

Things got serious then, hospital security retained me and called the Gardai. I was furious at Dominic, but even more so at myself for behaving so irrationally. If I got arrested, I was screwed. I didn’t know if the Health Board at the maternity hospital would allow me to keep my volunteer job or offer me a permanent job once I graduated college in a few months if they found out about this. I didn’t know if they would hold an assault on my record against me either, but I really didn’t want to find out.

“So let me get this straight,” the male Garda questioning me said on a tired sigh. “The man you attacked is your partner’s younger brother, and also your younger sister’s boyfriend. Am I gettin’ that right?”

Both Ryder and I nodded in unison.

The Garda sighed, again. “I don’t get paid enough for this.”

Ryder snorted, but covered it up with a fake cough.

“Okay, so why did you attack…”

“Dominic,” I said, filling in the blank.

“Dominic,” the Garda nodded. “Why did you attack Dominic?”

“Well, you see, since he moved here a few months ago he has been nothin’ but a bother for me sister. He hassles ‘er at school, and is very forward with ‘er because he really likes ‘er, but doesn’t know how to handle a feisty introvert like ‘er. They’re the polar opposites of one another, but for some unknown reason, she likes ‘im too, but she doesn’t want to. She went on a date tonight with a cute lad in ‘er class to play the field a little, you know? But Dominic showed up, ruined ‘er night out by fightin’ with her date. That forced ‘er to defend ‘er date which led to ‘er hittin’ Dominic, and hurtin’ ‘er hand. That’s how she ended up here. She called me, told me what happened, and obviously I was furious, I mean, she’s me little sister, and when I saw Dominic, the urge to smack the shite out of ‘im consumed me, and then you and your partner were called and, well, yeah. That’s what happened.”

When I finished speaking, the Garda stared at me for a few moments, unblinking. When he came back to the land of the living, after another ten-seconds of silent staring, he shook his head and said, “I definitely don’t get paid enough for this.”

“If you think it sounds bad,” I cringed, “you should try livin’ with us.”

The Garda quickly shook his head. “No, thank you.”

His instant reply made Ryder laugh, and my lips twitch.

When the man finished writing down whatever he was writing on his notepad, he looked at me then to Ryder and said, “The lad won’t be pressin’ charges against your missus, will he?”

“My missus?” Ryder questioned, clearly confused if his facial expression was anything to go on.

The Garda sighed. “Your girlfriend, Ms Murphy.”

I smiled and linked my arm through Ryder’s. “He is still gettin’ used to how we talk, he is gettin’ much better at understandin’ slang so please, don’t hold it against ‘im.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” the Garda mumbled. “As I was sayin’, your brother won’t press charges against Ms Murphy, will he?”

“No, he won’t.” Ryder answered almost immediately. “I guarantee he will be telling your partner that there is nothing to report.”

The Garda sighed for what seemed to be the twentieth time. “I figured as much, Mr Slater, but until me partner comes back and tells me that for ‘erself, I have to ask these questions and write down what you say, Ms Murphy. Okay?”

I nodded in understanding. The Garda then ran through a few more standard questions, and when he was finished, he pocketed his notepad and pen.

“I’m goin’ to have a smoke outside while we wait, I’m not supposed to leave me post—which right now is you—but I agree Mr Slater won’t press charges therefore when me partner comes back, we can leave. However, that doesn’t change the face that you have to wait until you’re dismissed,” he said then levelled me with a glare. “You stay here. If I have to come lookin’ for you, I’ll arrest you and leave you in the cells back at the station until tomorrow mornin’, we clear?”

“We’re clear,” I nodded, firmly.

Ten-seconds after the Garda went outside and lit up his cigarette, I turned and headed for the double doors that led into the back where Bronagh, and Dominic, were.

“Branna,” Ryder hissed. “Damn it, the cop said wait here.”

“I heard ‘im,” I replied, still walking.

“So why are you heading for those doors?” Ryder asked, sounding like he was going to strangle me.

“I want to check on me sister.”

“Branna—”

“I’ll be back out before he comes back. Promise.”

“Oh, my God!” He snapped. “You’re unbelievable, woman.”

I passed through the double doors, and after only a couple of seconds I felt a presence behind me.

“This is entirely on you if we get arrested.”

At least we’d go down together.

I smiled. “Noted.”

“So where are we going?” Ryder asked on a sigh as he fell in stride next to me.